RAWALPINDI, July 20: During a drive, the Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) on Wednesday in collaboration with the local police removed encroachments from Bara Market and imposed fine of Rs35,000 on 35 shopkeepers for displaying goods on the footpaths.

RTMA spokesman Tahir Mehmood Khan told Dawn that the drive was launched on the directives of District Coordination Officer (DCO) Saqib Zafar to remove the encroachments from bazaars before Ramazan.

He said Town Officer (Regulations) Aftab Chohan and four inspectors were also present on the occasion. He said the Rawal Town Municipal Administration staff visited Raja Bazaar, Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, Ganjmandi, Hamilton Road and adjoining bazaars.

He said the Rawal Town Municipal Administration staff removed stalls in Bara Market and seized nine truck-load of goods displayed on the footpaths.

He said the seized goods were shifted to the Rawal Town offices.

He said the Town Officer Regulation (TOR) also lodged FIRs with the City Police Station against seven shopkeepers for profiteering.

He said the TOR visited Workshop Mohallah, Ratta Amral, Tauheedi Road, Boring Road and apprehended seven shopkeepers including four bakers (Nanbais) and a milkman for selling edibles at higher rates.